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Berlin

I mentioned a few posts ago that I am reserving my judgment of Berlin until I visit it again on my own. But, I did really really love the East Side Gallery, as much as I loved the artwork, I love the messages written on the wall even more. Here are some of my favorites.

Such a beautiful statement!

So glad that for now, there will be no hotel where the gallery stands.

Get Human

Many Small People Who in Many Small Places Do Many Small Things That Can Alter the Face of the World.

The Resistance of Ignorance.

Yes!

Not sure I agree with this.

Trust.

I Want This Place to Stay Like it is Now.

I hope you enjoyed the messages as much as I do. Which one resonates with you the most?

I'm back babies! Berlin was crazy. I'm still processing it all. I'm not sure how I feel about the city. I'm going to wait to reserve judgment until I go back with my own agenda and not with my whole class. After all, there wasn't that much time to venture out and see the city on my own. But, I did have a lot of fun bonding with my classmates. I learned some interesting things and now we have some great catch phrases from the trip! Oh, and that salt should never, ever, ever be put on pineapple!

Here is an overview of what I did.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp:

One's first introduction to a city should never be a negative one. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was our first scheduled stop in Berlin. The camp is located in Oranienburg, just outside of Berlin and was first used an internment camp for political opponents of the Third Reich. It was then used during World War II as a concentration camp and housed the central administration for all Nazi concentration camps. Finally, it was used as a Soviet Special Camp. That is a lot of evil for one place. This was my first experience to a concentration camp and it really moved me. One of the most shocking things for me was the proximity of houses to the camp today and in the past. It is shocking that people could live so close and turn a blind eye to such atrocities. Our guides at Sachsenhausen were really top notch, especially Sophia, who really made her love of history come alive.

East Side Gallery:

By far my favorite thing in Berlin. This part of the wall is filled with art, and inspirational messages from all over the world. I took a ton of photos! I love that something so negative as the Berlin Wall has been given new life as something beautiful. Unfortunately, this outside gallery and monumental piece of World History is supposed to have parts of it torn down to make way for a high rise. This breaks my heart. While we were there, students were making films about why the East Side Gallery should remain. Just days before, there was a protest of thousands to save the Wall. I encourage all of you to sign this petition to support the East Side Gallery!

Tomorrow I have another lovely guest post for you and then it is more about Berlin!

You guys, I am so excited to tell you that I am going to be in Berlin from March 6th to 10th! I'm going with my university. It will be my first time in the city, my first time staying in a hostel (I'm so sorry roomies, I snore), and my first time going to a travel industry event! I'll be at ITB, which is the largest show in the travel/tourism industry on the 9th. I'm really looking forward to the networking opportunities, so if you are going let me know!

I must confess, my knowledge of the city is strictly limited to WW2, the fall of the Wall, and watching Cabaret. I also know that everyone I know who has been loved it and that there is something called Museum Island. Since, I am going with my university, there are a lot of preplanned activities but there is a lot of free time as well. So, I want to know, what do you love about Berlin?